Plastic channel assembly-below belt bracket for glassrun system

ABSTRACT

A below belt bracket assembly includes a weatherstrip or glassrun having first and second sidewalls interconnected along a base member that form a cavity configured to receive an associated window edge. A support member has a cavity configured to at least partially receive the weatherstrip. A first end of the support member includes first and second retention members that each operatively engage an end region of the weatherstrip. A recess/opening formed between the first and second retention members is dimensioned to receive the end region of the base member such that the end region of the weatherstrip base member ramps downwardly from the support member base wall through the recess/opening.

This national stage application is a submission under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofPCT International Patent Application No. PCT/US2013/054884, filed on 14Aug. 2013, and claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/682,967, filed on Aug. 14, 2012, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide a generally C-shaped support channel or bracketthat receives a similarly contoured C-shaped weatherstrip or weathersealformed of a plastic or EPDM type material and referred to as anextrusion. An open region of the C-shaped contour receives an edge ofthe window and guides the window as the window is raised and loweredrelative to the vehicle door.

To mechanically join the extrusion to the below built bracket assembly,a terminal end of the extrusion is typically notched, i.e., cut inselected locations to allow first and second sidewalls of the extrusionto flex or move independently of an interconnecting, base member of theextrusion. The notch allows the first and second sidewalls to flare ortaper outwardly to a greater degree relative to the base member andthereby enlarge an entrance dimension at a first end of the bracket. Thenotching operation adds additional cost to the final assembly. Forexample, machinery must be dedicated to perform the notching. Inaddition, the notched end must be contoured over a tapered opening inthe support bracket.

In an alternative arrangement, the terminal end of the extrusion remainsinterconnected no notching) and the first and second sidewalls are bentor splayed outwardly relative to the base member. The first and secondsidewalls are received in retention members spaced inwardly from aterminal end of the bracket. Unfortunately, there is the potential thatthe extrusion will become disengaged from the bracket during shipment,assembly, or during use. This structural assembly also encounterspotential issues where the there is no smooth transition as the glassadvances into the glass run assembly, and the potential for interferencebetween the advancing window and the weatherstrip of the glassrunassembly can arise.

These known arrangements also have the potential for glass slap, acondition where insufficient clearance is provided and the contactbetween the glass and the bracket emits an audible noise when the dooris closed.

Still another problem is associated with distortion or warping of theplastic bracket during manufacture.

Accordingly, a need exists for an improved below belt bracketarrangement that overcomes these noted problems and others in aneconomical, simple, and effective manner.

SUMMARY

A below belt bracket assembly includes a weatherstrip having first andsecond sidewalls interconnected to a base member, and forming a cavityconfigured to receive an associated window edge. The assembly furtherincludes a support member having a cavity configured to at leastpartially receive the weatherstrip therein, the support member includingfirst and second retention members at a first end that each operativelyengage an end region of the weatherstrip, and an opening/recess betweenthe first and second retention members dimensioned to receive the endregion of the base member.

The support member includes first and second sidewalls that receivefirst and second sidewalls, respectively, of the weatherstrip and a basewall that interconnects the first and second sidewalls of the supportmember.

The support member base wall includes the opening/recess that isdimensioned to receive the end region of the weatherstrip base member.

The end region of the weatherstrip base member ramps downwardly from thebase wall of the support member through the opening/recess.

The first and second sidewalls diverge from one another along the endregion.

The first and second retention members are configured to apply to anupper surface of the weatherstrip base member and position a terminalend of the weatherstrip base member below the base wall of the supportmember.

The first and second retention members extend into the support membercavity from respective terminal ends of the support member sidewalls.

Lower edges of the first and second retention members are configured toengage the upper surface of the weatherstrip base member alongrespective interfaces with the first and second sidewalls of theweatherstrip.

The base wall includes at least one stiffening member extending along atleast a portion of the longitudinal length of the support member, andpreferably first and second continuous ribs are provided along an outersurface of the support member.

The retention members extend outwardly at the first end of the bracketin a longitudinal direction opposite that of the second end.

Each retention member includes a generally U-shaped hook confirmation inwhich a first leg of the Hulk extends in a longitudinal direction of thefirst end of the bracket and a second leg extends in an oppositelongitudinal direction toward the second end of the bracket.

The first and second legs of the retention members are spaced apart afirst dimension that receives the first and second sidewalls of theglassrun.

A method of making a glassrun assembly for an associated automotivevehicle includes providing a glassrun having first and second endsdisposed in spaced relation along an elongated direction, the glassrunincluding first and second sidewalls joined by a base member. Methodfurther clues providing a rigid bracket having first and second endsdisposed in spaced relation along an elongated direction, the bracketincluding first and second sidewalls disposed in spaced relation andinterconnect along one edge by a base wall to define a cavity. The basewall includes a recess at the first end extending inwardly a limiteddimension toward the second end of the bracket. The method furtherincludes positioning the glass run in the bracket cavity such that thefirst end of the glassrun base member is received in the recess at thefirst end of the bracket.

The bracket providing step includes providing first and second retentionmembers on the first and second sidewalls that receive the terminalfirst ends of the first and second sidewalls of the glassrun.

Glass run positioning step includes locating the terminal end of theglassrun base member beneath the first and second retention members.

A primary benefit of the below belt bracket assembly is the improvedretention of the weatherstrip in the support member/bracket.

Another advantage is an improved entry opening to prevent glassinterference.

Still another benefit resides in the positioning the extrusion adjacentthe end of the bracket to maximize engagement with the window.

Additional clearance is created by the retention member placement so asto reduce glass slap.

A further advantage is associated with the elimination of the notchingstep to mount the extrusion onto the bracket.

Yet another benefit resides in the improved control of the shrink rateand the provision of anti-warp features.

Still other benefits and advantages of the present disclosure willbecome apparent upon reading and understanding the following detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a rear side of a below belt bracket assembly for a glassrunsystem.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a first end of a conventional below beltbracket assembly.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a first end of the new below belt bracketassembly.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the rear side of the first end of thebelow belt bracket assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines 5-5 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged view of the first end of the new below beltbracket assembly.

FIG. 7 is a still further enlarged view of the first end of the newbelow belt bracket assembly.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the first end of the new below beltbracket assembly with one of the sidewalls of the bracket andweatherstrip removed for ease of illustration.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the first end of the conventional below beltbracket assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the first end of the new below belt bracketassembly.

FIG. 11 illustrates the conventional notching operation of aconventional below belt bracket assembly.

FIG. 12 illustrates the final shape of the first end of the weatherstripof the new below belt bracket assembly.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a below beltbracket assembly, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the oppositeside.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are enlarged perspective views of one end of thealternate below belt bracket assembly of FIGS. 13 and 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a below belt bracket assembly 100 that includes a supportmember, channel, or bracket 110 that in the preferred arrangement isformed from a polymer or plastic. The bracket has first and second ends112, 114 that are spaced in a longitudinal direction. The bracketfurther includes fastening portions 116 that receive the fasteners (notshown) to secure the bracket 110 at a below belt location in the vehicledoor. The bracket 110 includes a first sidewall 120 and a secondsidewall 122 that are each interconnected along a first or lower edge toa base wall 124. A second or upper edge of each sidewall 120, 122 formsa terminal edge. Together, the sidewalls 120, 122 and base wall 124define a cavity 126 that is dimensioned and configured to receive aweatherstrip or glassrun 140.

The glassrun 140 likewise includes first and second sidewalls 142, 144that are interconnected by a base member 146. When the glassrun 140 isreceived in the cavity 126 of the bracket, the sidewalls 120/142 and122/144 generally align with one another and the base wall 124 of thebracket supports the base member 146 of the weatherstrip. In addition,the weatherstrip 140 includes first and second cover lips 148, 150,extending outwardly away from the cavity at a location at the upper endof each sidewall. As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, thecover lips 148, 150 extend over the upper terminal ends of each bracketsidewall 120, 122. Further, first and second seal lips 152, 154 extendfrom a location at the upper end of each sidewall 142, 144 toward oneanother, i.e., toward cavity 156 that receives an edge of the window(not shown). One skilled in the art will appreciate that the seal lips152, 154 do not actually extend through one another as illustrated inFIG. 5, but are formed to abut one another when the window is absentfrom the glassrun bracket assembly. The weatherstrip 140 is preferablyformed from a material (polymer plastic, EPDM, elastomer, rubber, etc.)that is sufficiently flexible so that the seal lips 152, 154 will bendor deform as the seal lips engage opposite faces of the window glass,and when the window is not received in the below belt glassrun assembly,the seal lips resiliently engage one another.

Further, each seal lip 152, 150 preferably includes a low frictionmaterial or coating 162, 164 that reduces the friction when the seallips engage the opposite window surfaces. It is also known to provide ahardened wear surface 166 on the base member 146 that faces inwardlytoward the cavity 156.

In the past, a retention assembly 180 was formed at the first end of thebracket (see FIG. 2). First and second retention members or fingers 182,184 were spaced inwardly from a terminal end so that a widened channelportion 186 would receive the associated window, and then the windowwould proceed longitudinally toward the second end 114 such that thewindow would pass between the retention fingers 182, 184 for receiptwithin the glassrun. This arrangement added undesired length to theglassrun/bracket structure. In addition, the lower surface of theretention assembly was at the same height as the base wall of thebracket.

In contrast, the present assembly modifies this arrangement by providinga recess or opening 190 in the retention assembly. More particularly,and as best seen in FIGS. 1, 4, and 8, the recess/opening 190 allows anend region of the base member 146 of the weatherstrip to pass throughthe recess/opening so that the base member 146 ramps below the base wall124 of the bracket. Moreover, an upper surface of the base member 146,i.e., the surface of the hard wear surface 166, is held in place by theretention assembly, so that the base member 146 is maintained in placein the recess/opening 190.

The retention assembly includes hook-shaped fingers on each side.Specifically, a first retention finger 192 extends longitudinallyoutward from the first end 112 of the associated bracket sidewall 120,122 in a direction away from the second end 114. At the terminal end, asecond retention finger 194 then extends in spaced relation with thefirst retention finger 192 in a direction toward the second end 114 ofthe bracket. The first and second retention fingers 192, 194 form a gap196 that has a dimension that closely approximates the thickness of theassociated sidewall 142, 144 of the glassrun. It will also beappreciated that the first retention fingers 192 taper outwardly fromthe respective sidewalls 142, 144 of the bracket. This splays or opensthe configuration of the sidewalls 142, 144 relative to the base member146 of the glassrun 140 so that the second retention fingers 194 arespaced further apart to reduce glass slap. Further, the spacing betweenthe second retention fingers and the ramped contour of the region of thebase member 146 received in the recess/opening 190 more easilyaccommodate the movable window.

As is also evident FIGS. 6-8, and 10, the second retention fingers 194are contoured relative to the first retention fingers 192 so that therespective seal lips 152, 154 of the glassrun are maintained in the gap196. This facilitates transition of the window edge into the glassrun,as well as providing for a secure retention of the glassrun in thebracket.

As a result of using the modified bracket, the prior art notchingarrangement shown in FIG. 11 is eliminated. That is in the past,notching of end regions of the glassrun adjacent the interface betweenthe sidewalls and the base member was used to open up the terminal endof the glassrun and allow the glassrun to engage the prior art structurefor the bracket. In contrast, the contour of the glassrun (shown in FIG.12 with the bracket removed for ease of illustration) at the end regionof the base member 146 tapers downwardly from the remainder of the basemember where the base member is received in the opening/recess 190, andthe sidewalls 142, 144 taper outwardly in this end region.

FIGS. 4 and 5 more particularly illustrate at least one stiffeningmember, and preferably first and second stiffening members 220, 222, onthe bracket 110. More specifically, the stiffening members 220, 222 areformed in the base wall 124 of the bracket 110 and face outwardly from alower surface of the base wall, i.e. away from the cavity 126. Thestiffening members 220, 222 assist in keeping the desired shape of thebracket 120. In addition, the cross-section of the bracket 110 isdesigned to control the shrink rate of different wall thicknesses, whichagain contributes to straightening of the bracket.

In FIGS. 13-16, an alternate embodiment of the below belt bracket isshown. More particularly, the below belt bracket assembly 300 includes asupport bracket 310, again preferably formed from a polymer or plasticmaterial. The primary distinction relative to the earlier describedembodiment is that one of the fastening portions 316 is locatedforwardly of the end of the bracket. For purposes of brevity andconsistency, like components are identified by like reference numeralsin the “300” series, e.g., compare the below belt bracket assembly 100in FIG. 1 with below belt bracket assembly 300 in FIG. 13, and newcomponents will be identified by new numerals. Positioning of thefastening portion 316 axially outward or outboard of the entrance regionof the glass run allows the fastening portion 316 to have extended wallsor wall portions 330, 332 beyond the retention fingers 392, 394. Thusextended wall portions 330, 332 extend axially outward of and formcontinuations of the first retention fingers 392. The extended wallportions 330, 332 serve to further guide the window into the entranceregion defined between the retention fingers 392, 394.

This arrangement of FIGS. 13-16 also allows the fastening portion thatreceives the fastener(s) (not shown) to secure the bracket 110 at adifferent below belt location in the vehicle door. This can be achievedwithout destroying the functionality of the modified entry that receivesthe window at one end of the glassrun.

The disclosures described with reference to the preferred embodiments.Of course modifications and alterations will become apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art and are intended be covered if suchmodifications and alterations fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having described the invention, it is now claimed:
 1. A below beltbracket assembly that receives an edge of an associated vehicle window,the assembly comprising: a weatherstrip having first and secondsidewalls interconnected along a base member, and forming a cavity; anda support member having a first sidewall and a second sidewall that areeach interconnected respective opposite edges of a base wall, and thatsupport respectively the first and second sidewalls and the base memberof the weatherstrip, and form a cavity configured to at least partiallyreceive the weatherstrip therein, a first end of the support memberincluding first and second retention members that extend outwardly fromthe first and second sidewalls, respectively, and each operativelyengage an end region of the weatherstrip, and an opening between thefirst and second retention members at a first end of the weatherstripoutwardly of the base wall and dimensioned to receive the end region ofthe base member so that the end region of the weatherstrip base memberramps below the base wall.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the firstand second sidewalls diverge from one another along the end region. 3.The assembly of claim 2 wherein the first and second retention membersare configured to abut an upper surface of the weatherstrip base memberand position a terminal end of the weatherstrip base member below thesupport member base wall.
 4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the firstand second retention members extend into the support member cavity fromrespective terminal ends of the support member sidewalls.
 5. Theassembly of claim 4 wherein lower edges of the first and secondretention members are configured to engage the upper surface of theweatherstrip base member along respective interfaces with theweatherstrip first and second sidewalls.
 6. The assembly of claim 1wherein the base wall includes at least one stiffening member extendingalong at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the support member.7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the at least one stiffening memberincludes first and second continuous ribs along an outer surface of thesupport member.
 8. A glassrun system comprising: an elongatedsubstantially rigid bracket having first and second ends disposed inspaced relation along an elongated direction, the bracket includingfirst and second sidewalls disposed in spaced relation andinterconnected along one edge by a base wall to define a cavity, and thebase wall including a recess at the first end extending inwardly alimited dimension toward the second end of the bracket; and anunsupported glassrun having first and second ends disposed in spacedrelation along an elongated direction substantially co-terminous withthe bracket, the glassrun including first and second sidewalls joined bya base member and dimensioned for least partial receipt in the cavity ofthe bracket, and the base member, first sidewall, and second sidewall ofthe glassrun respectively dimensioned for receipt along the base wall,first sidewall, and second sidewall of the bracket, and the first andsecond sidewalls of the glassrun extending over distal terminal edges ofthe bracket first and second sidewalls, respectively, and a terminal endregion of the base member received in the base wall recess of thebracket, wherein the first and second sidewalls of the bracket eachinclude a retention member at the first end for operative engagementwith the first and second sidewalls of the glassrun, respectively, andthe base member extends beneath the second legs of the retention memberswhereby a terminal end of the weatherstrip base member is positionedbelow the bracket base wall.
 9. The glassrun system of claim 8 whereinthe retention members extend outwardly at the first end of the bracketin a longitudinal direction opposite that of the second end.
 10. Theglassrun system of claim 8 wherein each retention member includes agenerally u-shaped hook conformation in which a first leg of the hookextends in a longitudinal direction at the first end of the bracket anda second leg extends in an opposite longitudinal direction towards thesecond end of the bracket.
 11. The glassrun system of claim 10 whereinthe first and second legs of the retention members are spaced apart afirst dimension that receives the first and second sidewalls of theglassrun therein.
 12. The glassrun system of claim 8 wherein theglassrun includes a cover lip and a sealing lip extending from each ofthe first and second sidewalls of the glassrun, the cover lipsconfigured to extend over terminal edges of the respective bracketsidewalls, respectively, and the sealing lips extending inwardly towardthe base member for selective engagement with opposite faces of anassociated vehicle window edge received in the glassrun.